Excelsior Springs, Mo. -- Women are invited to go into the wild with Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC). Experts will teach them how to shoot a bow and arrow, paddle a canoe, or pick some greens for dinner from woodland plants at Discover Nature Women’s Spring Fling on April 26-28 at Lake Doniphan Conference & Retreat Center near Excelsior Springs.

The weekend retreat is a chance for women to share a campfire and classes in skills such as archery, camping, backpacking, hiking, canoeing, fishing, orienteering, outdoor cooking, wild edibles and wildlife signs and tracks. Women ages 14 and up are welcome, though teens ages 14 to 17 must be accompanied by an adult.

“Our goal is to help women gain confidence in the outdoors through learning outdoor skills,” said Lisa LaCombe, manager of MDC’s Burr Oak Woods Nature Center and coordinator for the retreat. “We have fun, and the women are learning new things in a creative and supportive environment.”

MDC staff and volunteers teach the courses. There are charges at the private Lake Doniphan camp for food and lodging during the retreat. Costs vary from less than $100 to almost $200 depending on whether participants are camping, sharing a bunk house or staying in a motel-style room. But all meals will be provided within those charges.

The camp is part of the MDC Discover Nature programs that connects people with Missouri’s outstanding outdoor recreation.

Molly Postlewait will offer tales about the outdoors at the retreat’s Saturday evening campfire. Postlewait is an accomplished storyteller with a passion for the outdoors. She is also a naturalist at the Ernie Miller Nature Center in Olathe, Kan.

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Serving Nature and You

MDC protects and manages Missouri's fish, forest, and wildlife resources. We also facilitate your participation in resource-management activities, and we provide opportunities for you to use, enjoy and learn about nature. Read more about our mission.